A Healthy Home Is A Happy Home

Your home is your castle, your pride, and joy but it can become a house of horrors if you don’t keep your eyes open to the dangers within. Your children can spend up to 90% of their early years indoors so keeping them safe is a full-time job. Over 3 million children worldwide are injured in their own home every year so aside from the obvious hazards, such as hot stoves and knives, what other risks are there to be aware of?

Padlock The Poisons

Your utility room may be spilling over with nasty chemicals that you understand should be kept away from prying eyes and curious little hands. Medication, cleaning fluids such as bleach, even detergent are to be kept at arm’s length. But do you think of keeping items such as mouthwash, perfume, and aftershave, even vitamins, out of reach? Over 1 million children are poisoned after consuming everyday household items such as these. Keep them out of sight and more importantly out of mind.

Monitor Carbon Monoxide

This odourless gas can cause symptoms similar to the flu, but as levels increase, the toxic effects of Carbon Monoxide (CO) can be fatal, especially for young children and the elderly as the gas prevents oxygen from reaching the heart and brain. Carbon Monoxide alarms outside bedrooms and other living areas are an essential as the gas is so difficult to detect and is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels such as propane, coal, wood, oil, and natural gas. As well as detectors, make sure you get many appliances that use any form of fuel burning process, as well as your heating system, checked annually. Be aware though that CO can also be produced by cars, petrol lawn mowers, and washers powered by an internal combustion engine.

Don’t let the bedbugs bite

Pesticides used to rid our living spaces of cockroaches, ants, mice and other pests are a much more significant threat to our health than the creature we were attempting to free ourselves of in the first place. They contaminate not only the air but the surfaces on which they land. The toxins in these treatments increase the risk of cancer and other neurological issues. The alternative is to keep the floor and surfaces squeaky clean before another squeaking begins to occur. Seal any holes, and clean up the crumbs. Traps and baits are a cleaner way of catching the critters, so experts suggest these as a far healthier alternative.

Irritant Issues

As children breathe more air than adults do, they are far more susceptible to the ill effects of internal and external airborne pollutants. Aside from insisting no one smokes inside your home, you can implement additional means of providing carefree airways. By using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms, you can drastically reduce the growth of mould. Your pillows and duvets are teeming with dust mites who produce allergens which can trigger common reactions such as asthma, eczema, and rhinitis. Keeps your window in ventilated settings, and use asthma friendly duvets to reduce the symptoms, if not alleviate them entirely.

Falling Fails

The leading source of accidental injury for children under the age of 14 is being hurt in a fall. At most risks are toddlers, as they begin to find their feet and become mobile. As Children are less stable on their feet and have a higher tendency for losing their balance, the need for secure stair gates and fire covers is paramount.

When you reduce the risks, your house becomes the haven it should be and the home you want it to be.